APPLETON SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

Pheng Thao

Facebook Page: Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076983134005

Personal Statement

Pheng Thao, MLS, MA has been building healthy families, communities, and homes for close to 20 years as a violence prevention expert. Pheng has provided over 700 keynotes, trainings and technical assistances to many diverse groups and organizations at the local, national, and international level. Many of his speaking engagements are about violence prevention in the family and community; how public safety needs to include interpersonal safety; the intersections of gender-based violence; practicing healthy manhood and culturally appropriate healing practices. Pheng deeply believes that healing is an essential part of his work in building and connecting communities. As a healer, he provides life and leadership coaching to individuals and organizations to strengthen their connections internally and externally. 

These experiences will help me make informed decisions on how to continue the success of AASD through my perspectives and understanding of how to work with families and community. There is a need for strong community, family, and school engagement as active partners to ensure that the success of AASD continues to grow and meet the needs of the community and families that are working and thriving in the area. We need to ensure that we also have diverse representation from all in community.

Do you support using COVID precautions such as wearing masks in school and requiring vaccinations of eligible students and staff? Explain

With working close to 20 years in violence prevention work, I know that prevention is key to reducing the harm and bad outcomes. So, if there are prevention strategies/methods that can help reduce the harms and impacts of COVID, we should look at those strategies, weigh them and enact them accordingly. Not every prevention method will be soundproof so we need a number of methods that are in combination with one another to reduce the impact of COVID.

Do you support teaching fact-based and accurate history of events that have and continue to shape our nation? Explain

It is important that we provide an accurate teaching of history for children in our schools. Their success in this country depends on that foundation. If we are to create a society where all folks are valued, seen, and heard. Where all folks are seen as significant and meaningful citizens – wherein they can actively participate in making decisions that impact and shape their lives.

What are your thoughts about the AASD referendum that is proposed for November 2022?

 

The proposed referendum to my understanding is to help reduce overcrowding and place 6th grade into middle school. I believe this will enable teachers to feel less stress through having smaller class sizes, which will provide more time with students who need additional support. If we are able ensuring that every student succeeds per AASD motto, then it means we have to help create and shape the learning environment that will be conducive to that success.